Author: Michael Stanley
Genre: Police Procedural, Series #1
Published: 2008
Personal Rating: 2.5/5 (eh)
Yearly Count: 91
Assistant Superintendent of the Botswana Police Department, David Bengu (nicknamed Kubu which means hippopotamus in Setswanan), is called when a body is found in a remote area, half devoured by hyenas.
I was really excited to see how this book was going to compare with The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency being that they share the same setting and solve mysteries. Initially this mystery had intrigue, but as it progressed, I discovered that I didn't care about the actual plot. It followed this repetitive pattern throughout (with not much exaggeration, I might add):
Food and drinks, dead body, little bit of thinking and gathering of clues, repeat over and over and over again.
Sad to say, but it just didn't capture my attention or have any likable characters. I never built a connection with Kubu and frankly, could care less what he eats and drinks. I think I'll stick to Detective Precious Ramotswe when I want a Botswana mystery. (I think I appreciate her much more now.) Others have really enjoyed this, but it just didn't work for me.
Sad to say, but it just didn't capture my attention or have any likable characters. I never built a connection with Kubu and frankly, could care less what he eats and drinks. I think I'll stick to Detective Precious Ramotswe when I want a Botswana mystery. (I think I appreciate her much more now.) Others have really enjoyed this, but it just didn't work for me.
This doesn't sound like one I would like either...when there is no connection then the story is just hard to get through!!
ReplyDeleteStaci ~ I kept thinking the mystery was going to draw me in or I would begin to like Kubu. Neither happened. :(
ReplyDeleteUgh. That is frustrating. I was hoping it would be better. Like you, I enjoy The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency books and was hoping this one would be good too.
ReplyDeleteLiterary Feline ~ I'm actually a little surprised that I didn't like it. However, this is a good example of what the lack of character connection can do. You may really like Kubu and all will be well. :)
ReplyDelete